Tag: Star Wars; Galaxy’s Edge

For anyone who lives in a bubble, Disney will be opening their largest ever single land development in the fall of this year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be set on the planet of Batuu, visitors will be exploring the community of the Black Spire Outpost, home to some of the most notorious characters in the galaxy.

Today Disney have confirmed a few more details about where you rebels can grab a bite to eat and some of the places you can spend your hard earned credits.

Food

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs has traveled throughout the galaxy following his longtime gig as the chef at Maz Kanata’s castle on Takodana and brings exotic flavors and unusual dishes to his traveling diner “Tuggs’ Grub.”

Ronto Roasters – A recycled podracing engine fires up a spit of exotic meats, meticulously turned by a former smelter droid, 8D-J8. Guests can even sample some of the tasty Ronto fare.

Milk Stand – The place to go to get your farm-fresh blue milk or green milk, direct from Bubo Wamba Family Farms.

Kat Saka’s Kettle – One of the many street market stalls, this grain vendor sells the ever-popular Outpost Mix (blend of sweet, savory and spicy popcorn).

Stores/Market Places

Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities – For those in the know, Dok-Ondar is the Ithorian you seek for selling and buying rare and uniquely-valued items from across the galaxy and spanning all eras.

Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers – Guests come to the workshop to meet with the Gatherers – a secretive group of people who have dedicated their lives to restoring balance in the galaxy by passing on their knowledge of Jedi lore and the Force. The workshop Master guides guests to customize and build their own unique lightsabers, and instructs them on the ways of the Jedi.

Droid Depot – Visitors to Mubo’s workshop can choose parts and construct their own individual astromech droids to accompany them on their journey, and then take them home with them.

First Order Cargo – A spaceport hangar bay serves as the temporary base and landing spot for the First Order. First Order officers have brought in crates of gear, uniforms and other supplies to win the hearts and minds of locals and visitors to Black Spire Outpost.

There are also several market stalls which sell a variety of merchandise such as:

Toydarian Toymaker (toys)

Creature Stall (interesting critters that you can take home with you)

Black Spire Outfitters (clothing)

The Jewels of Bith (accessories and other trinkets to treasure)

We expect to hear more news today from Disney including some of the food and beverage offerings that will be served in Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo and how the Disney cast members’ costumes will play a big part in bringing the inhabitants of this outpost to life

Last week I wrote about all of the new details we have learned about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and yesterday some anonymous sources leaked information to Attractions Magazine, especially about Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and it’s sooooo cool!

I mentioned in my last post that it sounds as though there was going to be 2 parts to the attraction – a different ride vehicle for each part with a trackless section and this now appears to be true. Lets see what we have discovered from the leaked information..

Pleaseeee be aware that this hasn’t been confirmed by Disney so is still purely rumours and the below contains a hell of a lot of SPOILERS.

There is a blue transport ship currently on display at Hollywood Studios which has also previously been featured in other displays and art concepts. It is said that guests will be loaded on to this ship (first ride vehicle) which will then spin 180 degrees. Large screens and sound effects will make guests feel as though they are taking off from planet Batuu into space. During this journey the whole entire ship will be taken over by the First Order who will ensure the ship lands inside one of their Star Destroyer Hangars.

It sounds like guests will then be treated just like real rebels by The First Order as they exit into the hangar they will be told to ‘move along’ whilst trying to take in their surroundings – animatronic stormtroopers, TIE fighters and even a view of space. This will be one of the largest rooms in the attraction. The First Order will then instruct guests to enter individual load rooms (12 in each room is my guess from the image of the ride vehicles) which will be themed to prison cells. Once in the prison cells a droid will give the infamous safety talk whilst keeping you up to date with the story (i know i’d definitely be paying close attention to this so that i don’t end up asking my peers ‘whats going on now’ throughout the ride!)

The 12 in each loading room will then be split into 2 groups of 6 to board two different First Order vehicles (2nd ride vehicles) which will be accompanying each other throughout the rest of the attraction and will not be separated for more than a few seconds throughout. The vehicles are going to be trackless and will navigate through 4 showrooms. It is said that no room will have more than 2 vehicles in it at a time so this means there will be eight different ride vehicles navigating at a time meaning a continuous stream of guests going through the sequence (that is if they have more than just the 8 vehicles obviously).

The first room you enter will be a blue room where a ‘rogue droid’ will hack into the First Orders system and take over control of guests vehicles which will suddenly ‘take off’ to start the escape mission. The second room will be themed to the hallways inside a Star Destroyer and guests will come face to face with Kylo Ren (animatronic Kylo Ren might i add) who will scare off the rogue guests with his lightsaber and as the ride vehicles back up they’ll take a different route into the AT-AT room which is room number 3 of 4. The buddy vehicles will separate briefly at this point as they travel up individual lifts to more than 40feet high – the AT-AT walkers will be nearly to the size scale that they are in the films (Remember this land and its attractions are all about immersiveness!) each one of the AT-AT’s will have moveable heads which can breathe fire…

The two ride vehicles will then exit the lift and pair up again as they both go under an ‘elevated area’ which will feature both Kylo Ren and General Hux (animatronics) in deep discussion about how the Resistance have come to save the guests. It sounds as thought the pair will not hear that they have company so the guests will quickly sneak away into the 4th room ‘the gun room’ which is said to not actually feature the likes of stormtroopers wondering around like the promo video. 🙁 There will however be a row of the large guns shooting off and guests will get to feel the power on the shots and recoils. There will also be screens (windows to space) showing the resistance fleet getting blasted. Guests will then come face to face with Kylo Ren once again where he will nearly grab them but a huge blast will hit the Star Destroyer just in time causing Ren to get sucked between a broken piece of the ship and the guests :O

From there the guests will get some intel from the resistance about some escape pods – the hacked vehicles will then input the coordinates supplied by the resistance and take off. Unfortunately they have one more encounter with Kylo Ren just before they can fully escape. He uses THE FORCE to keep guests still as he makes his way toward them but luckily a wall suddenly collapses which diverts his attention letting the guests escape, each vehicle will back up into its own escape pod. From there comes another twist as this ride becomes more thrilling than i ever imagined it to be since most peoples focus has been on the Millennium Falcon attraction! Apparently the escape pods are actually lift shafts that will drop guests from the highest point in the show building (remember guests are still 40feet up!), along with the addition of giant screens guests will feel like they have just blasted off into space!! It is said that there may also be windows in the escape pods which will show other ‘guests’ falling through space back to Batuu. Its still not over though as guests will take on a crash landing into an old warehouse before entering the unloading area.

How COOL does Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance sound? I know right! remember the ‘First Order vehicles’ are trackless which i think will work sooo much better than a track for the above ride concept!

Who else is now even more excited for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to open this Autumn?!

Check out everything that was announced for Epcot and Hollywood Studios during D23 ‘Destination D’ over the past weekend!

Hollywood Studios

The names of the 2 rides coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s edge have been announced! Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run & Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Check out the videos Disney have released for these below:

New Nighttime experience ‘Wonderful World of Animation‘ will debut in May 2019 as part of Hollywood Studios 30th anniversary. It will use state of the art tech and take you through a journey through 90 years of Disney animation.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – construction is expected to be finished by fall 2019. The attraction will feature an original story and theme song as it takes guests into the wacky world of the award winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts.

Epcot

Not one, but TWO nighttime shows were announced for Epcot! The new nighttime spectacular will open in 2020 and will celebrate how Disney music inspires people across the world. There will be floating set pieces, custom built LED panels, moving fountains, lights and lasers. Before this unnamed show debuts guests will have the opportunity to see a limited time experience ‘Epcot Forever‘ starting in fall 2019 featuring classic Epcot tunes beginning with a spark of imagination that ends in an epic spectacle of fireworks, music, lighting and special effects.

The name of the Ratatouille attraction was announced! ‘Remy’s Ratatouille Attraction’ set to open in the France pavilion as a dark ride in time for the 50th anniversary celebrations.

Also coming soon to the France pavilion, a new Beauty and the Beast sing along was announced created by Don Hahn who is the producer of the animated classic and live-action re-imagining.

We came across a patent at the beginning of this year which looked as though it was Disney’s door to having pretty much real life lightsabers in their park when Galaxy’s Edge opens HOWEVER a new patent has recently been filed which also points to lightsabers but using completely different and more realistic technology.

Let’s take a look at what we learned in Jan and what we’ve learned today..

January Patent

Back in January Disney filed a patent called ‘audience interaction projection system’ which looked like they were developing a system that will allow guests to ‘carry a physical hilt that can interact with an augmented reality apparatus of some type.‘

According to the patent the physical hilt would contain positioning and motion sensors – like a Wii controller. The patent didn’t specifically mention Star Wars however they do look like weapons in lightsaber shapes and it mentioned ways in which users can use the technology to interact with the environment and fight enemies.

The patent stated the following:

“An audience interaction projection system provides a lighting feature that provides a new way for an audience member to participate in an entertainment experience; e.g., theatrical performance, theme park feature, concert, sporting event, movie, etc. The audience member may actually feel as if they are launching powerful beams of laser-like light toward objects on the stage.”

The patent also appeared to discuss drones and how the ‘lightsabers’ could communicate with drones.. It stated “Multiple LEDs can be activated in sequence at various times to give the user the impression that the movement by the user of the faux lightsaber is deflecting multiple laser beams,”

From what we understood from this patent back in January, there is a projector beaming light toward it. The projector technology would then be able to project visible light that is invisible until it hits the intended device — again, a lightsaber — and “rendering the visible light as a beam that appears to emanate from the object rather than from the light source.”

Newest Patent

Now this patent shows a completely different and in my opinion, more realistic way to bring lightsabers to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Called ‘Sword Device with Retractable, Internally Illuminated Blade’ shows a lightsaber style design which allows the ‘beam’ to shoot out of the hilt and retract in a way that is more realistic than the current replica’s and toys you can purchase which are either triangle shaped or you end up having to screw the blade in.

The patent application states:

“Briefly, the inventors recognised that there was a need for a new special effects device that can be used as a theatrical prop, toy, or collector’s item that effectively simulates fictional energy swords including the lightsabers found in many popular films. Particularly, the special effects device (or energy sword, lightsaber prop, or the like) is specially configured to provide an extendable and retractable energy blade that appears to emanate from a handheld hilt due to a lighting effect that appears to provide bright hilt-based lighting.”

In a post by wdwinfo.com they break down the idea of this patent to a simpler explanation.. “The idea behind how it works is genius, because it is based in an action many of us nerds performed in our youth (or last Tuesday). Have you ever extended a tape measure and retracted it, pretending it was a lightsaber? I have, and I had no idea that what I was doing would be used by Disney inventors years later. Imagine two tape measures, both with half-circle cross sections, placed together to create a tube. Disney’s lightsaber hilt would include two spools, one for each half of a cylinder; when extended by a motor the spools would shoot out the two halves, joining them together and producing a lightsaber-blade shape. The opening of the hilt is shaped to overlap the sides or “zip” them together, making for one solid blade. A lightsaber’s gotta light, so LEDs or other lighting elements could be affixed to the “tape” to create the effect, evened out by an anisotropic diffuser to give the appearance of one long, solid light.”

This technology could be used for lightsabers to be purchased in the parks and hotel, for shows that will take place in Galaxy’s Edge and of course for collectors to add to their stashes. 😉

Now I think what we’ve seen in the second patent will be what Disney go with, do you? Obviously Disney file patents all the time with some never coming to life but I think this really goes to show that they are working real hard towards having light sabers in the parks for Galaxy’s Edge.

It’s been a while since we’ve had an update on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge but over the weekend Disney announced that Black Spire Outpost (which is the village in Galaxy’s Edge) is going to be home to Oga’s Cantina which will serve yummy food and drink to bounty hunters, pilots, smugglers, locals, galactic travellers and you when it opens next year.

Oga Garra – an Alien Proprietor will be running the joint which will have a strict code of conduct to keep unruly patrons in check due to its past of being a safe haven and stopping point for those who are avoiding the authorities.

Oga’s Cantina is the kind of establishment that attracts some of the most interesting and disreputable characters in the galaxy. And you never know when a stormtrooper or a familiar face will show up. Patrons of the cantina come from across the galaxy to sample the famous concoctions created with exotic ingredients using “otherworldly” methods, served in unique vessels. With choices for kids and libations for adults, the cantina will make for a great stop!

Imagine eating your lunch and a stormtrooper just happens to interrupt!! Disney have said ‘you never know what will happen at the Catina!’ so be sure to look out for many surprises on your visits!

I can’t wait to see what not only the food looks like but the ‘vessels’ they’ll be served up in

It’s not just food & drink that will be ‘out of this world’ in Oga’s Catina. Musical entertainment will be provided by RX-24 – the former StarSpeeder 3000 pilot droid (who you should know from Star Tours) who has re-envisioned himself as a quirky DJ sharing all the unique tunes he has picked up throughout the galaxies.

Over the bank holiday weekend Disney announced the name of the village within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge which is coming to Hollywood Studios in the fall of 2019.

Black Spire Outpost.

We already know that the planet is called Batuu and guests who attended a panel discussion on the 27th May at Star Wars: Galatic Nights were among the first to hear the breaking news. Disney’s Story Editor Margaret Kerrison shared the news during the discussion and also told guests the story behind the name and how it is associated with the geological formations that surround it.

Here’s Disney’s official description.

The largest settlement on the planet Batuu, Black Spire Outpost is an infamous stop for traders, adventurers, and smugglers traveling around the Outer Rim and Wild Space. Off the beaten path, this outpost has become a haven for the galaxy’s most colorful — and notorious — characters. Widely known for the petrified remains of its once towering ancient trees, the spires now stand guard across the river valleys and plains and have long captured the imagination of travelers to this planet. To the first settlers, these petrified spires became more than just landmarks; they became the heart of the outpost itself.

There is set to be more news in the coming months and of course, we will keep you updated. Not in the know about Star Wars: Galaxy’s edge then check out this blog. (plus where have you been?!)

Last week on OAT Live we spoke a bit about the new Star Wars Hotel coming to Walt Disney World in the future. It is definitely going to be a one of a kind resort with a groundbreaking concept which will combine luxury with complete immersion putting customers straight in to a Star Wars story throughout their stay.

“The immerse experience offered at this hotel will stand out among all of our resorts around the globe. As you can see, families visiting this resort will board a starship alive with characters and stories that unfold all around them during their voyage through the galaxy – and every window has a view of space!”

Disney state that the resort will be ‘seamlessly connected’ to Star Wars: Galaxy’s edge which is coming to Hollywood Studios in 2019 (we think) and guests will also be able to wear Star Wars attire to really fit the part!!

I’m not personally a huge Star Wars fan but even I can’t wait for this!! Especially with the rumour of interactive lightsabers flying around.. 😉

This is the first time we’re talking about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2018 and this is definitely an exciting one…

We pretty much know for sure that Galaxy’s Edge is going to be super immersive and interactive. For example, how you fly the Millennium Falcon can affect how you are treated within the land. Disney haven’t really confirmed any other ways that the land will make guests feel as though they are really in another Galaxy however, a new patent called ‘Audience Interaction Projection System’ may have just given us a pretty concrete idea of another way Disney are going to have guests ‘fully immersed’ in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

It looks as though Blooloop have discovered some patents that lead us to believe that Disney may be developing a system that will ‘allow guests to carry a physical hilt that can interact with an augmented reality apparatus of some type’ according to the patent the physical hilt will contain positioning and motion sensors – sort of like a Wii controller. The patent doesn’t specifically mention Star Wars however they do point to weapons that look like lightsabers and mentions ways in which users can use the technology to interact with the environment and fight enemies. It looks as though it will also include a speaker for audio feedback and the ‘lightsaber’ will vibrate when the blade is engaged and make noise when it’s waved. Maybe there will be a part of the Disney App or a new App altogether where guests will be able to see how well they are doing? Who knows!

The patent states the following:

“An audience interaction projection system provides a lighting feature that provides a new way for an audience member to participate in an entertainment experience; e.g., theatrical performance, theme park feature, concert, sporting event, movie, etc. The audience member may actually feel as if they are launching powerful beams of laser-like light toward objects on the stage.”

The patent also appears to discuss Drones and how the lightsabers could be able to communicate with drones . The patent states “Multiple LEDs can be activated in sequence at various times to give the user the impression that the movement by the user of the faux lightsaber is deflecting multiple laser beams,”

Now the ‘blades’ of the lightsabers wouldn’t be physical and i’m not a very ‘techy’ girl so from what I understand and from an image provided with the patent which shows a person holding a lightsaber. There is a projector beaming light toward it. The projector technology would then be able to project visible light that is invisible until it hits the intended device — again, a lightsaber — and “rendering the visible light as a beam that appears to emanate from the object rather than from the light source.”

Obviously the interactive wands at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter were, and still are a huge hit with guests as you can use the wands to interact with various different types of physical props around. Surely it would be obvious that Disney would introduce lightsabers although there is always the costs, logistics, safety and time to take in to consideration. Oh and also the fact that Disney file patents all the time with some never seeing the light of day again but it would a very smart move in my opinion.

We still have no confirmation or way of knowing if this is really going to happen but as Walt Disney himself has said, if you can dream it, you can do it and Disney have clearly had some dreams about this… 😉

Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge is one of the most anticipated new lands for a long time. Last Saturday fans attended Hollywood Studios to see some new images of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge which is coming in 2019.

Disney want Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge to feel like a ‘real place’ in the Star Wars universe and they have also spoken about how they want to get the details ‘right’. Loads of details have been released already so we’re hoping that the stream of information will continue all the way up until it opens in 2019. We now also know that the planet is called Batuu.

The details include an image of the inside of the Millennium Falcon which is one of of the two rides coming to the MAHOOSIVE 14 acre expansion. You’ll be able to get behind the controls of the Millennium Falcon and fly it, the choices you make will have an impact on your Star Wars journey. Disney have released a image of what the inside of the Millennium Falcon will look like, you can see that they have recreated the hallway and the cockpit in which guests will be able to enter. It is said that this attraction is going to be built on multiple turntable rooms which may be a bit like Mission: Space at EPCOT. Each of the rooms is said to have Falcon interior and will increase the capacity of the ride.

Disney’s team have stated that the Millennium Falcon ride will have multiple missions for guests to complete meaning each ride will be different. Going back to what I said about how the choices you make will impact your journey, Scott Trowbridge has advised that visitors performances on the tasks will be tracked and may influence how characters throughout the land react to you. If you bring the ship back wrecked you may be on the list of a bounty hunter or even worse.. if you find yourself on Harkos’s list you may face some problems if you show up to the local Cantina. I’m guessing that this will be done through Magic Bands.

The other ride will see visitors in an attraction on a scale that has never been done before and they will feel as though they are on a Star Destroyer inside a Hangar Bay.

There is going to be more iconic spaceships in Galaxy’s Edge such as a fleet of full size X-wing fighters, see below.

Disney have also tested blue and green milk beverages which will be found in the Cantina with Rex as the DJ (you can see me attempt to make blue milk with Gavin here) and you will also be able to explore the exotic market places of Batuu to find in-universe toys and souvenirs which are said to be exclusive. Imagineers want this part to be ‘romantic and ancient’ and have visited various marketplaces in Instanbul and Morocco for inspiration! The stall in the image below is run by a “Toydarian”(who sells toys) which Trowbridge has said was introduces in Episode I: The Pantom Menace” on Tatooine.

The new land will see guests visit a remote trading port on the edge of space where characters such as BB-8, Chewbacca and members of the First Order come to life. Guests will find themselves in the middle of the action in a land so immersive you may just forget you’re in a theme park.

Visitors to Hollywood Studios today and in particular guests on Star Tours – The Adventures Continues were in for a whole new experience. As brave visitors boarded Starspeeders they embarked on a ‘thrilling new journey’ to the edges of space which found them making an unexpected landing on a planet in the outer rim of the Star Wars galaxy. This is a planet already known to C-3P0 and now to us as ‘Batuu.’

This remote outpost on the galaxy’s edge was once a busy crossroads along the old sub-lightspeed trade routes, but its prominence was bypassed by the rise of hyperspace travel. Now home to those who prefer to stay out of the mainstream, it has become a thriving port for smugglers, rogue traders and adventurers travelling between the frontier and uncharted space. It’s also a convenient safe haven for those intent on avoiding the expanding reach of the First Order. While Batuu may be new to us, it is clearly already familiar to many characters from the Star Wars saga as a stepping off point for epic adventures.

The Creative Executive, Scott Trowbridge has said “I look forward to sharing more updates from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge as we further explore the stories and adventures you’ll be invited to discover when our new lands open in 2019.” Hopefully this means we will get some more information soon!

What do you think of the name Batuu? I’m going with the pronunciation of ‘Bat-ooooooooooo’ 😉